Issue - meetings

That the Workforce Information for quarter three for 2013/14 be noted.     

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development introduced a report to provide Members with an update for the third quarter 2013/14 for the following:-

·        Establishment

·        Headcount

·        Agency

·        Early Retirements (First and third quarter reports only)

·        Turnover

·        Diversity

·        Absence

On the issue of Agency placements, the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development indicated that the number of placements for December had reduced from 184 in 2012 to 150 in 2013 which was a significant reduction and this was also reflected in the total hours worked reported in paragraph 3.05.  The overall saving was reducing due to an reduction in the volume of agency workers used.  Of the ten early retirements for the period July to December 2013, eight had been on the grounds of redundancy which would result in a recurring saving once upfront costs had been paid out.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development welcomed the overall reduction in absence compared to the same period last year and said that it was forecast that the figure for the whole year would be 10.03 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) days which was a significant improvement on 2012/13.  There was also an improving trend of employees achieving 100% attendance and full details for each of the Directorates were reported.  An electronic self service system was being piloted in Streetscene for recording sickness absence which would be implemented across the organisation.  The category ‘other’ had also been removed from the information completed to report absence but the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development advised that it was still appearing in the workforce information data as it was used as a holding category for instances where the reason for absence had not been confirmed. 

Councillor Clive Carver asked about the iTrent system reporting an increased in vacancies of 135 which did not reflect the current position.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development responded that an exercise had been undertaken which had identified that the number of vacancies was less than 135 and she advised that she would send information on the figures to the Committee following the meeting. 

Councillor Carver also referred to the 100% attendance of 72% for quarter 3 2013/14 and raised concern that the figures suggested that the average absence for those not attending 100% of the time was approximately six or seven weeks.  Councillor Carver asked for drilled down statistics on the employees who had been absent.  The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development said that it was her preference that the information continued to be reported as it was now as it allowed the tracking of progress and benchmarking with other quarters.  The Cabinet Member for Corporate Management welcomed the downward trend in absences and the increase in 100% attendance when compared to the previous year. 

The Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development advised that for future reports, she could consider including information on short and longer term absences.  Following a further question from Councillor Carver, the Head of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85